We'll drink to that: Hodgson's England have won six in a row with a new tactical fluency (Image: Action Images)

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It’s a long road back to respectability when you’ve become an international laughing stock. But Roy Hodgson and England have made the first steps, initially faltering, but with increasing assurance and conviction.

Six straight wins, though, new tactical fluency and adaptability, thrust and penetration, and a changed personnel and mentality are, unquestioning, good starting points.

As Hodgson recognised, the start of a transformation was required.

‘’It has been a tough year,’’ conceded the England boss. ‘’I thought going into the World Cup we were looking in reasonable shape and there was a lot of optimism. But we failed like we did, and it knocks you for six.

‘’Now I’m pleased the team have been able to get the ship back on an even keel and they have shown there is a lot to expect from them.

‘’There are some good athletes and technical players. As a team we are growing in terms of our understanding of what we want to do, with or without the ball.’’

The past few months have seen a sea-change - the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Glenn Johnson replaced by the new generation. Nathaniel Clyne’s response against Slovenia and Scotland proof of that.

What has aided the recovery, equally clearly, has been the response of new skipper Wayne Rooney. Not just his goals – six in as many games as captain – but his committed adoption of the demands of on-field leadership.

Rooney’s spirit has been infectious.

Hodgson added: ‘’I agree that the mentality we’re showing now is good, especially after what happened in the summer. There has been a slight change of personnel. Some players who were at the World Cup have retired or have not been selected and youngers ones, who were on the fringes in Brazil, have come in.

‘’They have been asked to step up onto the plate and we have even found a few more along the way. like Fabian Delph and Nathaniel. On top of that we have got Welbeck, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are showing they are bona fide good quality international England players.’’

Until England arrive at the Euros, of course, it can only be propaganda, but the FA’s announcement of the looming fixture list, friendlies against Italy, Germany and France confirmed, with games against Holland and Spain also in the pipeline, signal a determination to opt for a proper graduation process.

Hodgson explained that he gave Ross Barkley – ‘’an outstanding talent’’ – just a few minutes in Glasgow because, like the unused Theo Walcott, he is coming back from injury, confirming the Everton man is seen as a genuine ‘’No 10’’ option.

The England boss added: ‘’We will be looking at everyone. We watch anyone doing well for his club team.

‘’But I would like to think is it is going to get harder and harder to break into an England squad because there are plenty of people in there who have got their hands on the shirt and they are pretty determined not to let it go.’’